“Ovechkin created hockey in Washington”
– Alexander Ovechkin didn’t even know he could break Gordie Howe’s career goalscoring record at an NHL club. He was just scrolling through Instagram ahead of the season and came across a photo with this message.
“I didn’t know either. There’s a major record he’s chasing right now. Front – Gordie Howe (801) and Wayne Gretzky (894).
But still it’s good that a person has spent almost his entire career at a club. Most likely, he will end up in Washington. How many years is he still?
– Contract for four seasons, until 2026.
– It’s expensive. Imagine how much effort and patience you have to invest. Everyone thinks it’s so easy to play for a club all your life. And in fact, that’s not the case at all.
– And why does Ovechkin always play for one team? Russia is Dynamo Moscow, America is Washington.
– Actually, Sasha did not play much in Russia. Only up to 20 years, and even during closures. Moscow, a top club, he grew up there. Why change anything? Everyone would like to dream of such a situation, and he was lucky with it.
Well, Washington is loved there, fans have been delighted with it for many years. You have to be able to earn that kind of love. But Sasha shows with his game that he can do it. He continues to perform at a very high level.
– There, “Washington” and the owner is a good one – Ted Leonsis. Are you familiar? Single boss?
– When I was playing at the club, I communicated well with Ted and his family, we have a great relationship. In other teams, I didn’t interact much with the bosses. Because in “Montreal”, he only played 15 matches. He played two seasons for the Carolinas, but had no contact with the owners. But Ted – yes, a simple man…
– He treats Sasha like a son.
– You yourself understand what Ovechkin did for Washington and for hockey in the city in general. When we arrived at the club, it was devastation in a hockey sense. The team hasn’t played as well as it has in the last 10-15 years.
Ovechkin for the Capitals is the goose that lays the golden egg. He earns $10 million a year and the club earns $20 million from him.
– Sanya created a sport in Washington like hockey. Attendance was 10-11,000, and since Sanya started playing, every game has been sold out. He’s not the only one, of course. Because hockey is a team game. But he makes sure hockey is loved in this town. It attracts spectators to the arena, breaks records, every other match is historic, which is why there is such a stir.
– How did you and Ovechkin walk the central streets of Washington? You would not be allowed to pass because of the photos and autographs.
– I remember when we had just arrived in Washington, and we were just beginning to be recognized. And communication on the street with fans has nothing to do with it. And that’s part of a hockey player’s job. You have to talk to people. And it’s very good that you have been recognized in Washington, although you come from another country.
“I don’t think Sanya will become a coach”
– You live in Krasnoyarsk, and when Washington plays, it’s already morning. Do you watch NHL games?
– Usually I include the highlights cut. After all, I have things to do – I have to take the children to school, to training, to kindergarten. But I watch highlights, and not just Washington.
— The Capitals are now playing in a weakened composition, nearly a dozen players have been injured. There are many leaders among them. What awaits Washington now?
– Sometimes it happens. What shines for them, we won’t know until the end of the season. The most important thing is to go through a difficult period on a positive note, not to lose much, but to endure this segment. When everyone gets better, things will be different.
– There is an opinion that Washington has played only for Alexander Ovechkin’s record for the past two years, but no longer thinks about the Stanley Cup. Do you agree?
Everyone in Washington is playing like before. As usual, Ovechkin is taken to the strike position, and it can be said that every second throw from there hits the target. That’s all.
If they deliberately played for Ovechkin, it would be striking. But if it is given to him and he gets it, then why not give it back? There is nothing wrong.
At least all the passes go to Ovechkin, if he keeps scoring like this. You understand that everyone needs goals. And not everyone can score like that.
Ovi is on the verge of breaking the NHL record for goals against an empty net. Tell me about your own experience – is it easy to step into an empty frame?
“Scoring is not as easy as everyone thinks. You mostly shoot out of your own area. And that takes a lot of focus. Not even like that when you’re on the attack and you shoot on goal with the goalkeeper. Here you have to concentrate completely to exactly enter the empty frame.
– In one of the matches, a microphone was attached to Ovechkin, and it was clear how he manages his partners, leads the match. Do you think Sasha could become a head coach one day? Wayne Gretzky was becoming one.
– I think probably not. Because it’s very difficult to be a superstar for so many years and then to become a head coach. This is my personal opinion. For the coaching job, you have to study for more than a year. Learn from someone, even if you’ve played hockey.
Playing is one thing, coaching is another. And this job is even more difficult than being a player. Because 24 hours a day, you have to watch videos, analyze the game, train, go to matches… You have to devote your whole life to this job.
“I don’t remember the final against Ovechkin in 2005”
– There is a chance that Lada will return to the KHL. Your emotions? You played there in the mid-2000s.
– It was great, cool. And it’s a plus that they come back. It’s a shame they were removed. After all, the club has been playing in the Super League and KHL for so many years. And then he leaves. I can imagine how upset the fans were.
– There is an arena in Togliatti, they love hockey there.
“Yes, yes, they have everything to give back.”
– You played in the Super League final in 2005 against Dynamo and Ovechkin. Was it possible to catch them?
“I don’t even remember what was there. I remember playing. Lost means they were stronger. And remembering the details makes no sense, because it cannot be returned.
– Did you already know Ovechkin then?
– Yes, we played together for the youth team. Communication started right in the national team, when we went to the tournament at the age of 15. That’s how we met. Certainly, during the trips, we were not installed in a single room.
– You are now the chairman of Krasnoyarsk Sokol. Are the players ready to come to you?
– I’m still gaining experience, but I haven’t recruited a team yet. All current composition is the work of the previous director. We have occasional amplifications. The team is good, playing well, a good result at the moment. We will continue to watch players if a buff is needed. In addition, Aleksey Yashkin works as the general manager. He is mainly engaged in this field and has been working in this field for more than a year.
– What do you answer when asked: “Falcon” in the KHL – is it real?
– Time will tell us. We don’t have a team in the KHL yet, but we will try to get there. In the current situation, it is difficult to talk about it.
“It’s difficult to play at 37. We are not made of iron.”
– Is it possible that the NHL will hold the World Cup without the Russian team and Ovechkin?
Surely there are people who think about it. And they decide whether or not to organize the World Cup in this format.
I think they have it all planned out and they know what they are doing. If they do, then it’s timely. And if not, then no. Anyway, we can’t do anything.
– Do you have any doubts that Ovechkin will break Gretzky’s record?
Above all, no injuries. Little by little, maybe it will last. If it goes at the same pace. It’s hard, of course. No longer young… If he was 35, then it’s possible. But you yourself understand, in the 38th year, to play at such a level. We are not iron. It all depends on his body, his well-being and his desire.
– You yourself have experienced this, while every year it is more difficult to play.
– Well yes. And it is significantly heavier.
– Do you feel like your legs are full of lead?
We are not getting any younger.
– Would you like to be in the arena the day Ovechkin can beat Gretzky’s record?
“If that happens, I will definitely be there!” When there is a goal or two left before the record, I will live in America. I will go to Washington.
Wayne Gretzky will do the same.
– I think a whole delegation will ride behind Ovechkin. It’s still a long way from that. But God forbid that happens.
– When was the last time you called Ovechkin?
– Yes today. “How are you? What how?” He told how “Washington” plays. I call him often. Basically, we send text messages. We are still in contact.
NHL records close to Alexander Ovechkin
Source : MatchTV
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
